The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the display of the preliminary register of voters and distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) across states as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The seven-day exercise, which began on Friday, October 9, will end on October 15, 2026. It is intended to enable registered voters to verify their details, raise claims and objections, and collect PVCs issued during the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise conducted between August and December 2025.
In Plateau and Sokoto states, the respective Resident Electoral Commissioners announced that the exercise would take place at Registration Area centres, while PVC collection would continue at INEC offices in the local government areas after the display period.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Jos, Plateau State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Sam Egwu, said the exercise was being conducted in accordance with Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires the commission to display the voter register at least 90 days before the general elections.
Egwu said the display of the preliminary register, hearing of claims and objections, and distribution of PVCs would take place simultaneously across all 207 Registration Areas in Plateau State from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, including weekends.
He urged registered voters to take advantage of the exercise to verify their personal information, including names, photographs, dates of birth, polling units and other registration details, and submit necessary claims or objections within the stipulated period.
The REC stressed that an accurate voter register was essential to conducting free and credible elections.
He added that PVCs issued to voters during the first phase of the CVR exercise, conducted from August 18 to December 10, 2025, would be available for collection during the exercise.
Similarly, the Sokoto State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Umar Garba, announced the commencement of the exercise while briefing journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre in Sokoto.
Garba said INEC was committed to ensuring that eligible voters had the opportunity to verify their registration details and collect their PVCs ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He, however, clarified that PVCs relating to lost or damaged cards, transfers, updates, and registrations conducted during the second and third phases of the CVR exercise were not yet available for collection.
According to him, the commission would announce when the affected cards were ready.
Garba further stated that after the exercise at the Registration Area level ended on October 15, PVC distribution would continue at INEC offices across Sokoto State’s 23 local government areas.
